The Clachan, Soho, W1

Pub SignMan left this review about The Clachan

Tucked away behind the iconic Liberty's, this is a nice, ornate Nicholson's pub with a notional two bar interior. You enter through an attractive porch with a sadly damaged mosaic tile floor, into the front bar area, which is bare boarded with dark painted walls and some low level panelling. Large windows let plenty of light in to a room furnished with high tables and stools at the front and some regular tables and chairs to the side. The room is dominated by a very large island servery with an attractive, curved, dark wood counter and a matching bar back, which has some intricate carved features, a few etched glass mirrors and a central clock. The bar has been decorated with potted plants and various random ornaments, and has a central doorway through to the rear part of the servery, which faces a small seating area with more high tables and stools, plus a raised, snug-like space at the back. Here you'll find a large board on the wall giving the pub's history, a long button backed banquette and lots of police themed memorabilia on display. Elsewhere, the decor is more in the standard Nicholson's vein, such as plain mirrors and local black and white photos. A door to the rear was signposted for the Liberty Bar, which I didnt manage to explore. Loud music was playing on my Thursday evening visit and a decent post-work crowd were creating a bit of atmosphere.
Like most Nicholson's pubs, a reasonable ale range is assured, with options on this visit amounting to Fullers London Pride, Sharps Doom Bar, Oakham Citra (£6.65 a pint), Taylors Landlord and St Austell Tribute, Proper Job and Nicholson's Pale Ale. The Oakham was in good nick and the service was prompt, if a little bit more functional than friendly.
I thought this was a modest branch of this chain, with a broad but ininspiring ale range, a pleasant but modernised interior and some half-decent service. It's a good option to have in mind if you need a bolthole from the misery of Oxford Street, but probably won't be somewhere I'd seek out again in a hurry.

Date of visit - 2nd May 2024

On 24^th August 2024 - rating: 6
[User has posted 3350 recommendations about 3350 pubs]